Bucs defensive backs coach bolts for USF

Posted by Mike Florio on January 11, 2013, 10:04 AM EST

Late in the 2012 season, we created an unintended stir in Tampa by reporting that an unnamed Bucs player vented frustration after a 41-0 loss to the Saints by remarking, “Can we send these coaches back to college?”

Coincidentally or not, some of them are doing just that.

That latest, according to Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, is defensive backs coach Ron Cooper. The first-year NFL defensive backs coach who had nearly 30 years of college coaching experience has opted to join the staff at the University of South Florida, which also is located in Tampa and which plays its home games at Raymond James Stadium.

Per Kaufman, the move wouldn’t be happening unless head coach Greg Schiano wanted Cooper out. Which makes sense, given that the Bucs were at the bottom of the league in pass defense in 2012.

The guy had one of the best secondaries in college football while at LSU. He had very little talent with the Bucs, what happened wasn’t entirely his fault. He didn’t ask to start a rookie (albeit a very successful one) safety, a way over the hill safety, and a couple of corners who wouldn’t have started for any other team in the league. Great hire IMO by the Bulls. I’m looking forward to the draft so we can shore up this secondary as much as anyone, but this past year isn’t all Cooper’s fault.

hahah glad he did that before getting fired. Aside from Barron & Barber, our secondary was terrible at best. Couldn’t stop the pass and busted coverages happening WAY too frequently. I for one am happy and am ready to move on to greener pastures.